New Delhi, June 15: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a prosecution complaint in the Dwarka District Court’s special court against Chirag Tomar, Pankaj Tomar, Kushagra Shakya, Akash Vaish, Rahul Anand, Ketan Luthra, Tomar Group of Industries Private Limited, and Exahomes Realtors under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
The investigation began based on a newspaper report indicating that an Indian citizen named Chirag Tomar had been arrested in the USA. He is accused of using fake websites resembling the cryptocurrency exchange ‘Coinbase’ to steal over $20 million.
Investigations revealed that Chirag Tomar, currently in custody in the USA, was involved in large-scale cyber fraud by spoofing the Coinbase website and stealing cryptocurrency. Subsequently, information regarding criminal actions and evidence was requested from relevant authorities in the USA through Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) channels.
The probe uncovered that Tomar and his associates created counterfeit websites mimicking the legitimate Coinbase platform. Their goal was to deceive victims and acquire their login credentials, two-factor authentication codes, and other access details.
Once they gained access to victims’ Coinbase accounts, the stolen cryptocurrency holdings were transferred to wallets controlled by Tomar and his associates. The stolen cryptocurrency was then exchanged for other virtual digital assets, laundered through multiple wallets, and ultimately converted into Indian Rupees via peer-to-peer cryptocurrency transactions.
The ED’s investigation has also revealed that the proceeds from the sale of the stolen cryptocurrency were deposited into bank accounts belonging to Tomar, his family members, group companies, and associates, including Tomar Group of Industries Private Limited, Exahomes Realtors, Akash Vaish, Rahul Anand, and others. This money was circulated through various bank accounts and used to purchase movable and immovable properties, thereby disguising the proceeds of crime as legitimate assets.
To date, the ED has temporarily seized assets worth ₹64.55 crores in this case, and further investigations are ongoing. The ED also advises citizens to remain vigilant against phishing scams and fraudulent communications. These scams aim to steal personal and financial information through fake websites, emails, messages, or calls.
The ED urges citizens not to click on unknown links, refrain from sharing OTPs, passwords, or bank details, and to verify the authenticity of any message or call before responding. The agency appeals to all citizens to stay alert and protect their personal information to avoid falling victim to fraud.
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